Iowa Children Receive Thousands of Free Books through Pediatric Clinics
A nonprofit organization focused on early literacy and health education is distributing 30,000 free books to pediatric clinics across Iowa, helping ensure more children have access to reading materials during their earliest years.
Reach Out and Read Midwest is placing the books in dozens of doctor’s offices statewide, with a focus on clinics serving children who are uninsured or underinsured. Laura Holms, the organization’s Midwest regional director, says the program helps build language skills, encourage healthy routines, and strengthen connections between children and their caregivers.
“The main focus is on federally qualified health care centers and free clinics,” Holms says. “Many children simply don’t have access to books at home. By embedding literacy into the well-child visit, we’re able to reach about 90 percent of children, because that’s how many attend those appointments.”
About 20,000 books were distributed over the past month, with another 10,000 sent out in recent weeks. Titles include Susie’s Big Day and Doc the Dog’s Healthy Habits, along with books tailored to both rural and urban interests.
“We have books that resonate with rural kids, like stories about farming and tractors,” Holms says. “We also have titles that appeal to children in urban settings who may be interested in zoo animals, space, or other topics.”
The book distribution is made possible through a partnership between Reach Out and Read Midwest and Iowa Total Care. During well-child visits, healthcare providers select a book specifically for each child, often taking into account previous visits to avoid duplication.
Holms says providers encourage families to begin reading together during the appointment, using the books as both a learning tool and a way to observe developmental milestones.
“The provider can watch how a child interacts with the book,” she says. “It can help assess motor skills, language development, or even identify concerns that may need follow-up, such as vision issues.”
Holms says the goal of Reach Out and Read Midwest is to ensure every child, regardless of where they live, has access to books and early literacy support in trusted healthcare settings. More information and donation opportunities are available at ReachOutandRead.org/Midwest.
